The Globe's "Dining Out" reviewer checked out the Natick Collection's many restaurants. The conclusion: they're generally a step up from the old version of the mall.

An excerpt:

"The Natick Collection stretches definitions of mall architecture with its organic curves and immense skylights. And it stretches definitions of mall dining with real restaurants, namely branches of Bos ton's Sel de la Terre and Chestnut Hill's Metropolitan Club. (Also present are P.F. Chang's, the Cheesecake Factory, and Finale.) After spending gobs at Kate Spade and Burberry, there is no reason a shopper should be stuck eating greasy pizza and pretzel dogs. After spending nothing, there is no reason for that either. It's respectful that a conglomeration of stores designed to eat into the paychecks of a semi-captive audience should offer more than empty calories in return."

About globe west updates Welcome to Globe West Updates, the news blog of the Globe West regional section of The Boston Globe. Check in with us often to see updated items about Boston's western suburbs from our staff reporters and correspondents. Give us your reaction to our stories in the print editions or on the blog by using the form below. Get involved — with Globe West!